More People Than Ever Swimming in Copenhagen’s Canals

With a record number of registrations, SvømDanmark is this weekend ready to welcome more than 5,500 swimmers to the largest open water swimming event ever held in Denmark: TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim.

“We are very pleased that so many have chosen to sign up for the TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim. It shows that Danes are still passionate about open water swimming. We have never before experienced surpassing 5,000 participants, with nearly all distances sold out,” says Allan Nyhus, CEO of SvømDanmark and event director.

Over 30% of the participants are from abroad, travelling to Copenhagen to swim around the Danish Parliament. The 10,000 m and by night distances are particularly popular among international swimmers. In addition to many from across Europe and the UK, participants are also coming from Argentina, Australia, India, and Canada.

“We are very proud that the TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim has become an international event that helps put Denmark on the world map, and that so many tourists travel to Copenhagen to swim in our clean waters,” says Allan Nyhus.

The more than 5,500 participants will take on five different distances: the Krüger Relay (4x500 m), the REMA 1000-meter, 2,000 m, 2,000 m by night, and 10,000 m. Registration is still open for a few of the 2,000 m heats on Saturday, as well as the Krüger Relay on Friday.

EU Commissioner Dives into the Canal to Highlight Clean Water

For the first time, the TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim features an EU heat, where more than 60 swimmers will wear swim caps branded with #WaterWiseEU and the EU stars as they swim around the Danish Parliament.

“The TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim is a fantastic showcase of how a city can create clean water in its canals and make itself more attractive to both citizens and businesses. That’s why we support the event,” explains Per Haugaard, Head of the European Commission Representation in Denmark.

He himself will be swimming both Friday and Saturday, alongside, among others, Slovenian Marta Kos, EU Commissioner for Enlargement.

“When a prominent politician such as EU Commissioner Marta Kos swims in Copenhagen’s clean waters, it creates international attention and underlines the city’s role as a model for other European capitals,” says Per Haugaard.

The EU heat takes place on Saturday at 10:50, but already on Friday at 16:00 in the first heat, Commissioner Marta Kos will swim together with Antonio Silva, President of European Aquatics. Silva will also give a speech at 19:30, before the first by night heat starts.

700 Swimmers Light Up the Canals at Twilight

Even before the open water season officially started in May, the by night distance had sold out – despite a record number of available places. This means that on Friday evening, 700 swimmers will take to the canals at twilight, each equipped with a glowing swim buoy.

“Over the past three years, it has been a spectacular sight to see swimmers moving through the canals with their luminous swim buoys in all the colours of the rainbow. Many have told us it was a cosy and unique experience – and even more wanted to try it this year,” says Allan Nyhus.

The concept, called TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim by night, will take place from 19:45–21:30.

Children Can Also Dive Into the Canal

TrygFonden’s coastal lifeguards will once again set up a small pool on both days, where children can safely jump in the water, play, and learn about lifesaving. Lifeguards will be present at the pool to ensure safety, answer questions, and demonstrate different lifesaving equipment. Read more about the lifeguard activities here.

Hovedstadens Svømmeklub (local water polo team) will also be offering activities for both children and adults. Their water polo team invites anyone curious to experience water polo up close. You can jump into the harbour, try fun drills and training – or simply watch as HSK plays exhibition matches and demonstrates the excitement of the sport. Read more about the water polo activities here.

About TrygFonden Copenhagen Swim

• Denmark’s largest recreational open water swimming event. With over 5,500 registered participants, this year marks the largest open water swimming event ever held in Denmark.

• Has taken place almost every year since 2006.

• Distances include 1,000 m, 2,000 m, and 10,000 m, as well as the Krüger Relay (4x500 m).

• More than 150 volunteers assist with registration, timing, logistics, commentary, and much more.

• The event starts and finishes at the Black Diamond on Søren Kierkegaards Plads in Copenhagen.

• Swimmers go counter-clockwise around Slotsholmen – starting at the Black Diamond, swimming under Knippelsbro and into the canal, past Christiansborg, through Frederiksholm Canal, out by BLOX, and back to the finish at the Black Diamond.

• The event’s title sponsor is TrygFonden, with other main sponsors including Krüger, REMA 1000, the European Commission, Craft, Speedo, and Svømmespecialisten.